Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2021-2022).

Over the next few decades we must increase both agricultural productivity, to deal with growing populationsx000D
and fuel supply, and agricultural sustainability. Biological inputs are one way to achieve this. The century-oldx000D
soybean inoculant industry is the model for this: a very inexpensive product is applied on large land areas thatx000D
reduces the application of nitrogen fertilizer, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waterway eutrophication andx000D
groundwater contamination. The proposed work will lead to a broad understanding of the ability of a set ofx000D
microbes to improve fertilizer use efficiency and productivity of key crops in eastern Canada. We will evaluatex000D
and the effects of environmental variables (soil pH, temperature, water availability, soil salinity, soil organicx000D
matter levels and soil texture) on the efficacy of a novel inoculant, comprised of a consortium of rhizobacteriax000D
(5) and a yeast. The effects of microbial competition will also be investigated and potential new growthx000D
promoting microbes will be sought. Data will be collected on aspects of crop physiology, gene expression andx000D
agronomy. Synagri SENC has conducted preliminary research regarding the utility of the microbial consortiumx000D
in eastern Canada, and now seek to work with the Smith laboratory research team at McGill University in orderx000D
to elaborate and implement their processes and understandings to date. The research proposed will determinex000D
the effectiveness of the microbial consortium in eastern Canada, and will also screen the local microflora forx000D
new plant growth promoting members of the phytomicrobiome, potentially leading to new products forx000D
Synagri. The growth stimulation capacity of the current microbial consortium, and any novel growthx000D
promoting strains discovered through this work, will be evaluated on corn and potato, for which Synagri hasx000D
substantial expertise and sales; this will provide Synagri with a better understanding of the applicability of theirx000D
current product, and with new products and the foundations for even further products, establishing it as a leaderx000D
in the rapidly expanding biologicals sector. This will also enhance the sustainability and economics ofx000D
Canadian agricultural, giving Canada further leadership in the agricultural application of biologicals.x000D
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